 Mining rate optimization considering the stockpiling: A theoretical economics and real option modelKuangyuan Zhang and Andrew N. Kleit Resources Policy, 2016, vol. 47, issue C, 87-94 Abstract: In the extraction of metal from a mine, the intermediate ore between the economic and the breakeven cutoff grade is usually stockpiled for future processing once the mine is depleted. This research establishes a theoretical two-stage economic model to derive the value of this stockpile and how it affects optimal mining rate. By deriving the optimal condition for objective profit function and parameterized analysis, this research finds the stockpiling option can significantly boost a mine's profit. Processing the stockpiled material affects the optimal mining rate and cutoff grade strategy significantly compared to the case that it is not processed. The research also investigates the optimal mining rate's sensitivity to input variables such as commodity price, discounting rate, capital cost, and processing capacity, etc. In addition, the intrinsic advantages of this approach compared to the broadly used Lane's model (1988) are discussed. Keywords: Metal mining strategy; Stockpiling management; Pseudo-elasticity; Cutoff grade (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:47:y:2016:i:c:p:87-94 DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2016.01.005 Access Statistics for this article Resources Policy is currently edited by R. G. Eggert More articles in Resources Policy from Elsevier |
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